Employees Injured Because of Workplace Violence May Be Entitled to Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Benefits

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s blogs, many workers in the social services and health care industry are at risk of physical assault on the job. As a matter of fact, the 2013 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that over 23,000 workers sustained serious injuries from assault, with over 70% of these incidents occurring in either one of those industries. Many of these assaults could have been prevented.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has a section on its website dedicated to workplace violence that discusses such hazards and offers violence prevention plans. Workplace violence is defined as any threat or act of physical violence, intimidation, sexual assault, rape, harassment, or other threatening disruptive behavior, and may include verbal abuse and threats too. Homicide is reportedly the number four leading cause of worker deaths in the U.S. and the number one cause of death of female workers. Many incidents of worker violence go unreported.

Scenarios that can up the risk of workplace violence:

• Working with unstable individuals
• Dealing with patients or others who are mentally ill
• Exchanging money with the public
• Working in isolated areas
• Working where alcohol is served
• Working late at night
• Working in high crime rate areas
• Delivery jobs
• Working in the health care industry
• Working in law enforcement

If you were injured or someone you love was killed on the job because of violence that occurred while you were on the job, you may be entitled to Boston workers’ compensation benefits from your employer. Contact Altman & Altman LLP today.

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By publishing this information on this Website, the Boston, Massachusetts law firm of Altman & Altman LLP is not claiming to represent any clients or cases mentioned here. The content provided is designed to inform readers and is not intended as legal advice.